Amid growing differences among various Buddhist groups over the functioning of the Leh Apex Body (LAB), the agitating groups of Ladakh have finally received a formal invitation for the much-awaited meeting of the Sub-Committee to be convened by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) to resume the stalled dialogue process.
The meeting will be held in New Delhi on May 22 to discuss various issues concerning the Union Territory of Ladakh.
"Today, we have received a formal invitation for a meeting of the Sub-Committee in New Delhi on May 22," Asgar Ali Karbalai, co-convenor of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), told International Business Times.
He said that three members each from the KDA and the LAB will participate in the meeting. The meeting will also be attended by Ladakh Member of Parliament Mohammad Haneefa Jan and Chief Executive Councillor (CEC) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon.
Notably, 16 Congress and National Conference councillors had moved a no-confidence motion against Mohammad Jaffer Akhnoor, who belongs to the National Conference.
It is pertinent to mention that a day before Amit Shah's two-day visit to the Union Territory of Ladakh on April 30 and May 1, the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, had announced that the sub-committee meeting would be held on May 22.
Lieutenant Governor Saxena announced the schedule for the next round of political dialogue, stating: "I am pleased to announce that the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, has decided to convene a meeting of the Sub-Committee for political dialogue on May 22. This will carry forward the process of constructive democratic engagement with key stakeholders of Ladakh and pave the way for an enduring solution to meet the aspirations of the people of Ladakh."
The last round of talks between the agitating groups of Ladakh and the High-Powered Committee (HPC) of the Ministry of Home Affairs was held on February 4.
Several significant developments have taken place in Ladakh since then, including the revocation of the detention of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk under the National Security Act on March 14.
Notably, within hours of Vinai Kumar Saxena being sworn in as the fourth Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Ladakh, the Ministry of Home Affairs revoked Wangchuk's detention. He had been lodged in Jodhpur Central Jail following unrest in Leh.
The agitating groups of Ladakh, comprising the LAB and the KDA, had demanded that the MHA convene a meeting of the High-Powered Committee, which is headed by Nityanand Rai. The Sub-Committee, on the other hand, is chaired by senior officers of the MHA and the Union Territory administration of Ladakh.
The LAB is currently without a co-chairman following the acceptance of the resignation of senior Ladakhi leader and two-time Member of Parliament Thupstan Chhewang from the post. The KDA is also without a co-chairman, as Qamar Ali Akhoon, who held the position, passed away some time ago.
At present, Chering Dorjay Lakruk is the co-chairman of the LAB, while Asgar Ali Karbalai serves as the co-chairman of the KDA.
The LAB and the KDA have been agitating for more than five years, demanding statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The Ministry of Home Affairs has held several meetings of the HPC and the Sub-Committee, during which decisions on domicile, reservation and related issues have been taken.
